Always Here

Chapter 5

Hunter’s POV

I was walking towards my bike past Jamie’s work place the next day with Cole when I heard someone call my name.

“Hey Hunter!” I looked around when I found the person calling my name. It was Jamie.

When she reached me, my face was full of shock.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” Jamie reached up to rub imaginary dust from her face. “Yeah you do” I said reaching up and wiping a small spot of chocolate pudding from the corner of her lips. She bit her lip in shock “I-um, thanks” She stuttered outright before we locked eyes with each other.

“No problem” I answered softly and smiled at her.

“So what’s up?” I said breaking the eye contact.

“What? Oh yeah…” She blushed and then continued “So I have to write a report on a senior about their future outside of high-school and things like that. And well I have to interview someone and I guess since you’re a senior and I can talk to you… Can you..well would youlette please interview you?” And Jamie took a deep breath after saying the last part in a jumble of words.

My mouth opened about to answer when Cole jumped in “For a girl with a small body you sure have a huge mouth” And he smirked at her.

She bit her lip again this time nervously and turned to me. I rolled my eyes at him and talked. “Ignore him. Care to repeat the question?” I asked jokingly.

“Um yeah… Can I interview you for my project?”  She asked more clearly this time. “Yeah sure I’d love to be your guinea  pig for a few days.” She blushed again.

“Thanks Hunter, I appreciate it.” I nodded at her.

She was almost walking away when I called her back “Hey Jamie!” She stopped and came towards me and Cole. “Yeah?” She smiled.

“Want a ride?” I asked leaning against my bike. I forgot I didn’t put the kickstand rest correctly on the ground and the bike toppled over along with me.

I got right back up on my feet dusting away any dirt that landed on me. I picked up the bike and made it stand properly this time.

“Reaaaal smooth man, real smooth” Cole said as Jamie started laughing hysterically.

I glared at Cole. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”  

“Yep… I do…. So bye Hunter. Don’t make a fool out of yourself anymore, you killing her.” And the supportive Cole walked away towards his car.

‘Asshole’ I muttered under my breath before turning to Jamie. She was still laughing until I looked at her, and she sobered up pretty quickly.

“I think that was the best laugh I had in ages.” She said trying to cover up the few chuckles that escaped with a cough. I ran my hand through my hair “Can we please forget that and pretend I accomplished impressing you in the process?” I asked embarrassed.

“Sure Hunter” I smirked at her after “So the ride?” I motioned towards the bike.

“Eh… what the hell… lets go” She smiled and I helped her get on the bike. As I grabbed her hips, she gasped in pain.

“You okay?” I asked concerned removing my hands as soon as she was on the bike safe and sound.

“Yeah I’m fine, just got hurt during work today” She said not making eye contact. “Right… It sounded like it hurt Jamie.” I told her about to put the helmet on her.

She glared “Well I got the damn bruise from work ok? Drop it…” And she looked down.

I raised my eyebrows at her “Okay then…”  I let it go ‘for now...’ I thought. And put the helmet on her. I got on the bike and instructed her to hold on tight and I drove off after hearing the address.

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As I got closer to her house she told me to stop. She got off the bike and handed me the helmet. “Thanks for the ride.”

I smirked at her “No problem, by the way… Since we’re always around each other what do you say about being official friends?”

She smirked and then smiled “I would love to. Thanks for the ride friend,” She mocked jokingly.

I chuckled “Bye friend, see you on Monday. Oh and by the way… I think I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?”

She smiled and gave me her number.

I quickly saved it and gave her my number.

She started walking towards the direction of her house while I waited until she looked back. I looked confused when she yelled back “That was the cheesiest pickup line ever!”

I laughed and shrugged at her as if to say ‘What can I do?’

She continued walking until she was inside safely, then I drove away.